The Supreme Judiciary Council called for self-restraint amid the ongoing fighting in Tripoli, renewing its invitation to conflicting parties for a peaceful dialogue to settle the crisis.
In a Wednesday statement, the Council also called on all judges and judicial employees to continue to provide justice services throughout Libya, emphasizing that the judicial institution is the “last resort” for the Libyans.
The statement asserted the judiciary is not a part of any conflict and its main task is to provide justice and ensure the rule of law. The judiciary is completely neutral in the current incidents and whoever violates the law will be held accountable, the statement said.
The Council previously declared that targeting civilians in armed clashes violates the international law.
On Thursday, Libya’s U.N.-supported Government of National Accord asked the Security Council to appoint a “fact-finding mission” to investigate alleged violations by the forces attacking the capital.
In an April 18 letter to the Council only circulated Thursday, Ambassador Elmahdi Elmajerbi said the violations include “the killing and displacement of civilians, the destruction of public and private properties, and the recruitment of children and involving them in wars and hostilities.”
The Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, launched an offensive in Tripoli earlier this month, and is battling militias allied with the U.N.-supported government.
The World Health Organization says the fighting has killed more than 270 people, including civilians, and wounded nearly 1,300 thus far.
